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| Oct 28th, 2010 |
CADILLAC BURGERS, BOURBON AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD STORIES...
For Immediate Release:
AFTER 125 YEARS, NEW YORK’S MOST SPIRITED BAR, EATERY, P.J. CLARKE’S, MOVES WEST
Landmark Watering Hole Featuring Timeless American Fare Arrives this December at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas
Landmark Watering Hole Featuring Timeless American Fare Arrives this December at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 2010) – P.J. Clarke’s will open its first West Coast location this December at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas. Consider P.J. Clarke’s a modern day watering hole with great food where men are men and women are women. If a guest asks for a margarita, one will be perfectly prepared, should they ask for a frozen margarita, they will be given directions to the place where they are happy to dispense them from a machine. If you want an energy drink, they serve coffee. When this “Vatican of saloons” opens, democracy will reign as CEOs and plumbers rub shoulders, share drinks and a good laugh over a plate of great food at a place where the art of conversation has always been considered a virtue.
Located on level one of The Forum Shops by the 3-story escalator, P.J. Clarke’s will bring 125 years of history and New York sensibility to Las Vegas Blvd.
“There seems to be a trend lately to build stage sets rather than real restaurants, I understand the economics of it, but if I can’t build a bona fide saloon I won’t do it,” explains Phillip Scotti, operating owner, P.J. Clarke’s. “The main bar acquired from the Rothschild estate in Bordeaux, is made of solid mahogany with intricate carvings and was transported carefully across the country for a total cost of just more than $250,000; the subway tiles adorning the walls are reclaimed from a variety of demolition sites in and around Manhattan and all of the lighting fixtures which are a mixture of Victorian and ‘40s are authentic and painstakingly restored. The jukebox pumps out classic Etta James, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett with a dash of the Rolling Stones. This place will have real bartenders not ‘mixologists’ who respect what’s been put in the bottle and understand the holiness of a good Rye. Whether you are a local or a visitor the staff is encouraged to call you by your first name, P.J.’S is authentic and familiar. In Las Vegas or New York the philosophy remains the same: Everyday is a struggle, that’s why we must be kind to one another.’”
Established in 1884 in New York, P.J. Clarke’s boasts a colorful history that has entertained the famous, the infamous and everyone else who appreciate the ambiance and food of a real saloon. The iconic New York location holds decades of history. The wives’ beer window still remains open where any guest can say, “So, set ‘em up Joe” at the bar Johnny Mercer wrote “One For My Baby.” As a matter of fact, Maria Elena the widow of Buddy Holly, is traveling from Los Angeles to New York this spring to present Clarke’s with a memorable photo of their first date, first kiss taken at table 20 in the original P.J. Clarke’s, six hours after that date Buddy asked her to marry him.
But don’t ask about celebrity sightings. For more than 100 years, the policy has always been don’t kiss and tell. The only pictures on the wall are those friends P.J. Clarke’s staff likes to remember. A photo of George Steinbrenner, a longtime investor has ceremoniously been added to the walls of each P.J.’s recently… and they miss him.
P.J. Clarke’s has been known for decades for its ambience and the high quality of the food served simply; expect a raw bar with shrimp, lobster, oysters and Long Island clams on the half shell, chicken pot pie, fish and chips, baked macaroni and cheese with peas and bacon and Mile High Shrimp sandwiches. And of course Meyer beef from Montana’s Blackfoot River Valley PJC’S only supplier for its steaks and famous hamburgers.
“Forget about Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, we are the original social networking sites,” says Scotti. As he constantly smokes his Marlboro Reds, Scotti continues, “When you walk into our joint we automatically assume you are an old friend. Our job is simply to serve you a good meal, make you comfortable and help you and your friends to enjoy yourselves.”
P.J. Clarke’s features 12,000 square feet, seating 323 people in two dining rooms 20 stools at the main bar and another dozen at Sidecar, this section of the restaurant guests will have to discover for themselves. For intimate dining and special events, a private dining room, complete with industrial décor, factory-style accents and a separate kitchen available off from the main dining room by French doors and vintage-style pull down shades. Private affairs for up to 200 guests can be accommodated.
Scotti and his partner are very excited about opening on the Strip. “We don’t want to know about the economy, the recession, unemployment or politics. This is a town where people know and appreciate having a good time. We just want to make a little money, have a little fun and make some new friends. Every once in awhile we all need a burger and a beer with our pals.”
In addition to three New York locations, there are additional P.J. Clarke’s in Washington, D.C. and São Paulo, Brazil.
For more information, go to www.pjclarkes.com.
About the Company:
The Forum Shops at Caesars is Las Vegas' premier retail, dining and entertainment destination, featuring more than 160 boutiques and shops as well as 13 restaurants and specialty food shops. The Forum Shops have held on to their position as the most successful shopping venue in the country through continual progress.
The most recent expansion added 175,000 square feet and additional levels that extend the mall out to Las Vegas Boulevard, where a grand pedestrian plaza creates a signature entrance for The Forum Shops at Caesars.
The most recent expansion added 175,000 square feet and additional levels that extend the mall out to Las Vegas Boulevard, where a grand pedestrian plaza creates a signature entrance for The Forum Shops at Caesars.